ARRIVAL
OF THE OXFORD
The Daily Southern Cross September 9th 1874
Our
thanks to Jeni Palmer for this transcription
The
ship Oxford from London with immigrants arrived and anchored off the North head
yesterday morning, and should the wind still continue from the westward today, the agents
of the vessel, Messrs L.D. Nathan and Co., intend to have her towed up, and the immigrants
landed at once. Dr. Philson, the Health Officer, visited the ship yesterday morning and
admitted her to pratique. She brings 360 statute adults. He speaks of the passengers as
being in excellent health and high spirits, and a very desirable addition to our
population…………………months; and Patrick Roche aged 2
years. One died from whooping cough, Susan Murray, aged 3 years. There are now
fifteen cases of whooping cough on board; strange to say, although it was prevalent in London
when the vessel left, it did not show itself onboard until about three weeks before her
arrival. The Oxford is a find roomy iron vessel of 1252 tons register. She left Gravesend
on the 9th of June, and therefore made an excellent run of 90 days from that
port to Auckland. Fine weather has prevailed and the passage has been a very pleasant one.
We are indebted to the chief officer for the following report which was kindly forwarded
by Captain Burgess: The pilot was landed on the 11th of June, and moderately
fine weather was experienced until the equator was crossed on the 6th day of
July, in longitude 29 30 W. Shortly afterward spoke the ship Cathar? with immigrants for New
Zealand. Had moderate S.E. trades and rounded the Cape of Good Hope on the 2nd
August in latitude 63S., and ran down the Easting with fine pleasant weather. Passed to
the southward of Tasmania, made the Three Kings on the 6th of September, and
was off Cuvier Island on the 7th, and arrived in port early yesterday morning.
The
following testimonial was presented by the passengers to the doctor:- To George Good?,
B.A., M.B.M.Ch. Trinity college, Dublin, - “We the passengers by the ship Oxford
from London to Auckland, wish hereby to tender to your our sincere and heartfelt thanks
for the estimable manner in which you have exercised your important duties as Surgeon
Superintendent. The energy, impartiality and patience, which we have experienced at your
hand greatly tended to our health and happiness. That you will be fully blest in this
world and rewarded in Heaven is our earnest prayer. Signed J Simpson, A Aitkens and all
their fellow passengers."